"Can you at least tell me your name?" The fake Ben asked exasperated. Luke ignored him.
Is Windu still with you? Luke asked Leia.
No, he left when I threw another vase at him with the Force. She said through their bond smugly, sending the memory in the process. True to her words Luke could see Windu yet again denying Leia's request to see Luke and how in her anger she tossed a vase that stood beside her with the Force right at him.
He must have been angry. Luke thought.
Not really. Leia said annoyed as she remembered the incident and Windu's freakish calm, that angered her even more.
He keeps talking about the Force and the Jedi and weird stuff like that. Luke frowned.
But the Jedi are gone, Ben was the last one, he told me. He said to Leia
I know, but he keeps insisting he is one. Luke was confused even more, not understanding what was going on.
"Are you going to say anything?" He heard the fake Ben ask. He sighed then sent calming feelings to his sister as he broke off their link and concentrated on the man. Why would a Sith pretend to be a Jedi?
"Are you a Jedi?" He asked the fake Ben suddenly, who seemed surprised that Luke was finally addressing him, but at the same time thrown off by the simple question.
"Well yes, of course." Luke frowned, trying to see trough the fake Ben and his lies.
"The Jedi are gone, you're trying to trick me." The fake Ben shook his head confused.
"Why would I try to trick you by being a Jedi?" He asked Luke who yet again frowned. Why did the Sith do anything they did?
"I don't know maybe because Ben was a Jedi and you are pretending to be him." Luke was sometimes proud of himself and his thinking, he was sure that Ben would have been too.
Obi-Wan was rarely thrown off guard just like he was now. The youngling seemed to think he was faking being a Jedi, not only that, but he seemed to think that Obi-Wan was pretending to be someone else altogether.
"Who's Ben?" asked Obi-Wan, but the boy just shrugged, clearly not interested in answering him. There was a slight knock at the door as Windu came in. He glanced at the boy then motioned to Obi-Wan to talk outside.
Luke was glad when the two men left. Wanting to look around, but feeling the little eyes watching him he remained still. He woke up about an hour ago, just as he was put inside this chamber. Leia, had woken up at the same time, but not like him, tried and managed to escape her captors clutches, and by attuning to their bond almost reached the room he was being kept at. But of course they caught her and dragged her with force back to the room she was first led to. But Leia being Leia didn't go out without a fight and seriously injured several of their captors in the process. Luke was proud of his sister, but sometimes he wished she wasn't so- he felt Leia attune to their bond and quickly dropped that thought.
What were you just going to call me? He heard, or more likely felt, Leia ask. Nothing. Luke said quickly trying to get hold of his thoughts. There was no point in arguing with Leia since she always won.
True. Said Leia smugly.
Stop reading my thoughts! Said Luke frustrated.
Then stop thinking so loud. Leia threw back. He felt her concentrating on something hard.
What are you doing? He was hoping she wasn't causing them more trouble than they were already in.
Just looking around, maybe I'll find something to use to get us out. Luke felt like banging his head against the wall.
You won't, besides there are cameras where they are keeping me, so there are cameras where they're keeping you too. Leia hesitated at that.
Really? Where? Luke thought about it for a moment.
Well, there's one up on the very right side of the door, it's very small but you can see it if… What's so funny? He asked Leia, feeling her amusement.
Nothing, I just stuck my tongue at it. Luke couldn't help but giggle aloud at the picture.
I thought you were a princess and princesses don't do stuff like that. Suddenly, he felt her mood plummet.
Not anymore. Luke wanted to curse himself for being this stupid.
I'm sorry. He said, thinking of what it felt like to lose your parents for a second time, not that they ever knew their real parents to begin with.
If it helps, you'll always be a princess in my mind. Luke offered, trying to cheer her up and it seemed to work.
Good, because you'll always be a farmboy in mine. She answered.
Leia! Luke whined. He felt her giggle and was about to say something else when he felt someone at the door.
I've got to go, someone's coming. He said as the door opened and Windu came in. He was about to shut off their link but Leia suddenly protested
No, please, don't leave me. I wanna see. Luke hesitated for a moment.
Is someone there with you? He asked just to be sure, since Leia had a tendency to ignore anyone else while tapped into their Bond. He also knew how much Leia hated being left alone, he did too.
No. She answered. Windu held the door and a small green creature came in, the fake Ben after him.
Fine, but stay quiet and keep your comments to yourself. He said to Leia.
Okey. Leia answered shortly, probably sensing Luke's nervousness and need to concentrate. The little green guy sat on the chair in front of him, while Windu and fake Ben stood at different room corners, watching. Windu from the little green guy's right side, closest to the door, watched Luke distrustingly, like he might explode at any moment. That was probably because of Leia, she tended to have that effect on people.
"Know who I am, do you?" Spoke the Yoda look alike. Luke wasn't sure how to answer that. Yada was dead, so this must be another fake. Luke shrugged. It might be easier to think he wasn't the real Yoda if he didn't talk like him too.
"Hmm… Uncertanty I feel in you." Oh come on! Could these guys give him a brake, his head was starting to hurt from trying to decide what's real and what's not.
"You're not Yoda." Luke said more to himself than to him.
"Certain you feel in this. Why, I wonder." Said Yoda, or not Yoda.
"Because I saw you die." You, not him. Luke was feeling like pounding his head against a wall again. Yoda seemed to consider that for a moment.
Don't let him trick you. He heard Leia say in his mind.
I won't. He promised.
"Sure you are of this. How, you shall tell me." Luke shook his head and didn't say anything.
"Strong Bond you and your sister have, in your mind she is now." Luke fidgeted nervously, only a handful of people knew that Luke and Leia were brother and sister and about their Force Bond knew even less. He could feel that Leia was nervous of that too.
"Like to know how I know that, would you not?" Yoda asked, but before Luke could consider answering, Leia protested.
No, don't. He wants you talking since he doesn't know as much as he would like you to think he does. Don't give him any more information to use. Luke knew Leia was right, so he breathed in and out trying to remember all of Ben's and Yoda's teachings of being calm and in control.
"Thought you well someone did. Strong your sister's mind shields are." Luke knew that he was incredibly powerful in the Force, Ben and Yoda had told him enough times. It was weird hearing it again from a different Yoda, that looked very much the same. And Luke knew that Leia was currently shielding her mind but also his at the same time, she was more skilled at that than he.
"To see your sister you would like, would you not?" That got not only Luke's attention but Leia's.
Don't say anything, just nod. Leia advised. He did as she said, not sure where this was going.
"Arrange that we can. Just five questions I will ask you to answer in return" Both Leia and Luke got excited at the possibility, but before Luke could agree Leia stopped him.
Wait, it doesn't mean they won't separate us after. Luke thought about it for a moment and decided his sister was right.
Ask him not to separate us again instead. Leia said.
Will he agree? Luke wondered.
If he wants his answers bad enough he will.
"Only if you will promise not to separate us again." Luke said. Yoda nodded.
"Smart for your age you are, agree to your conditions I will. A Jedi's word I give." Luke nodded, ignoring the last part.
A Jedi's word? Is that even a thing? Clearly, Leia has forgotten her promise to keep quiet.
"First question I will ask. What year you think it is?" Both Luke and Leia were thrown off by the simple question.
Is he mad? Asked Leia. The Yoda I used to know was the same. Said Luke to Leia. At this point I think all the Jedi were insane. Leia said, remembering Ben the few times she saw him, he always seemed weird to her.
What should I do? Luke asked Leia
Answer him! Leia urged.
But I don't know what day it is! He said back and he really didn't, the last few weeks were awful and keeping track of time just hadn't been one of his priorities.
Do you? He asked Leia. She was quiet for a moment, thinking.
Well, no. But he didn't really ask for the date, just the year. Just tell him the simpler one and not the Imperial one, if he corrects you then they are with the Emperor. Luke really didn't think it was that simple, even the Force told him that the man before him was Yoda and Luke's instincts were never wrong before.
There is a first time for everything. Leia added helpfully.
"It's year 21, or 7 AFE. " said Luke.
Why do you keep saying more than you need to!? Leia was clearly annoyed.
I don't know, it felt like I should. Luke could practically feel Leia's need to shake him, but it only amused him. Leia could never understand Luke's "feelings" especially when it involved the Force.
"Hmm… Afraid of this I was. Much trouble you have caused."
"This cannot be possible Master Yoda." Windu spoke up.
What's up with them? Leia asked Luke curiously.
I'm not sure. Luke answered. There was a weird atmosphere in the room, something like fear, but not exactly.
"AFE, what does it stand for?" Fake Ben asked suddenly. Luke scowled. He didn't like him, he reminded him of his old mentor Ben too much.
"Is that your second question?" Luke asked Yoda. He could feel Leia's approval. Good one. Yoda held up his hand and both men bowed their heads respectively stepping back.
What kind of mojo is that? Asked Leia.
Yoda is their Grand Jedi Master. Luke answered Leia, forgetting himself. Leia, not noticing Luke calling them Jedi, or either not caring, asked
The what now?
"No, leave it for another time we'll have to. Your name I must know."
Is he serious? Leia asked bewildered, Luke feeling the same way answered,
Maybe he doesn't know my name. He said, thinking that he never really told them.
Doubtful, I called you Luke a couple of times accidentally when Windu denied me to see you. How hard could it be to figure out that you're THE Luke Skywalker with the whole Empire searching for you. Unfortunately, Luke had to agree with Leia. The name Luke might have been common, but how many Force sensitive Luke's could there actually be?
None. Leia answered helpfully.
"Luke Skywalker." Luke answered finally. There was a weird sound that came from Fake Ben, but everybody ignored it so Luke did too. Yoda's eyes became calculating and Luke wanted to fidget under his scrutiny.
"Then only one question is left to be answered. Your father's name you must tell me."
At least this question makes a little bit sense. Said Leia, not sounding so sure. All his life Luke had been told to keep his father's name a secret. Later, Leia had been told the same.
But he and the Emperor already know. Luke said.
I know. Leia answered. Oh well, might as well say it now. Luke took a deep breath and then let out the name all at once with the breath he's been holding.
"Anakin Skywalker."
Anakin wondered how everything managed to go so wrong so fast without his knowledge, without any idea what was happening. Padmé was sleeping in her bed now. Had exhausted herself to sleep by crying. Anakin remembered the fear he felt when he found out that she was at the medcenter. And when Padmé histericly crying told him that she lost the baby. He simply wanted to destroy and rip the entire galaxy apart. But then she wrapped her arms around him still crying and he had to lock that anger away for later and try to comfort her. But how could he? She lost their child. Nothing or no one could erase that kind of pain. Even him.
"Anakin?" He heard Padmé's voice. Quickly, he brushed away his tears and went back inside the room, closing the balcony's doors in the process. Padmé didn't look at him, but kept lying on the bed, hugging the dam pillow, her eyes staring at nothing. Carefully, Anakin sat beside her, brushing a hand trough her hair.
"I didn't tell you, did I?" She asked in a raspy voice. Ankain's hand froze.
"Tell me what?" Padmé sniffled, seemingly having no tears left to cry.
"There were two of them." She said heartbroken. Her words barely registered to him, but once they did, his breath froze.
"What?" He barely let out.
"Twins, I was having twins." To brake, he needed to brake something. Let his anger and pain out or it was going to destroy him from the inside instead. Padmé lifted her head an looked at him, oblivious to his inner turmoil.
"Why did this have to happen?" She asked her voice braking as her eyes welled up with new tears.
"I don't know Padmé, I don't know." He said, his eyes teary as well. Why couldn't he have stopped it, he should have been powerful enough to stop this from happening. What use was being a Jedi if couldn't protect those he cared about? Padmé shook her head suddenly sensing Anakin's inner turmoil.
"Don't blame yourself, there wasn't anything you could have done." She reasoned, searching his eyes for any indication that he believed her.
"Yes there was!" Anakin shouted not able to take it anymore, he stood and took a step back, away from Padmé. He turned searching for something, something that could fill that void he felt inside of him or at least make him forget about it for a moment. "I'm a Jedi I should have been able to protect you, protect them. But instead I was on a stupid mission chasing younglings while you were in pain! I should have known, I should have felt something!" Padmé, still sitting on the bed started to cry even harder and Anakin cursed himself for not being able to do anything right. Maybe she blamed him too. His comlink went off for about the tenth time that hour. Anakin cursed, clenching his fist.
Anakin answered it, snarling "What now?" in his anger.
"You are needed at the order right now Anakin." He heard Obi-Wan say. Anakin shook his head, though Obi-Wan couldn't see it.
"I can't right now." He said darkly. He wouldn't leave Padmé.
"You don't have a choice right now Anakin!" Shouted Obi-Wan and Anakin was thrown off momentarily, not expecting his former Master's anger. He heard Obi-Wan let out a tired breath. "It's about the boy Anakin and if you won't get here right now you might as well be expelled from the order." That Anakin was confused right now you could say the least.
"The boy, what…" Anakin started, completely not understanding where this was coming from, but Obi-Wan cut him off.
"The boy from before Anakin, he claims-." Obi-Wan stopped momentarily as if unable to finish. "His name is Luke Skywalker and-. I'll explain everything when you come." He finished hastily, ending the comlink. Skywalker? Thought Anakin absolutely floored.
"Did he say Skywalker? What boy Anakin?" He heard Padmé ask.
"There was a boy and a girl on the mission, Obi-Wan thinks that they did something huge, to cause such a disturbance in the Force and they both seemed too powerful to be ordinary younglings." He heard himself explain. Another Skywalker. Might he be a relative? But Anakin didn't have any, he was sure. Besides, the way Obi-Wan spoke… It was anything but that simple. He turned to Padmé.
"I'm sorry Padmé, you know I wouldn't leave you otherwise." Padmé shook her head.
"I understand Anakin, it seemed important, you should go." She said standing up. Anakin cupped her cheek searching her eyes. She smiled, though sadly. He kissed her on the head and left, saying
"I'll be back soon." And Padmé was left alone.
Umm, hey. For those few who were the very firsts to read the story and don't know I did some checking and erased Ahsoka from the first chapter, sorry. And, yeah.
I seem on a roll right now, not able to stop writing, not sure how long that's going to last. But thank you for all the comments and support, it's nice to know that I'm not the only obsessed with it. :D
So yeah, hope you liked it and I'll see you with a new chapter soon, hopefully.